Destroyer Of Light - Chamber Of Horrors

This is the second full-length album from the Austin, Texas Doom Metal band. Once in a blue moon, I get blown away by a band and this is by far one of the best albums I heard this year and one of the best Doom Metal albums I have heard in the last few years. I really like the genre but nothing really caught my eye or my attention that much until now…Don't get me wrong, when I first saw the name of the band, I thought it was more in the lines of Death Metal and I was pleasantly surprised to know it was Doom Metal at it's finest.

The production is very good. Usually the newer Doom Metal bands want to sound a bit older like bands from the 1970's so they tune down the guitars and it's more of an organic production. Well in this case, it really isn't. The production is tight and it sounds great. It's very loud and I didn't need to adjust the volume of my mp3 player to really enjoy this album Huge props to Adam Burke who did the album cover, it reminded me of the old school stuff from the 1970's, really loved the whole castle on a hill with the murky atmosphere, good job man!

The vocalist Steve Colca sounds a lot like one of the best singers of the genre, Mike Dean from CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. It has some edginess but a lot of emotion. It some really old school Doom Metal, evidently influenced by bands like BLACK SABBATH and TYPE O NEGATIVE for sure. I can definitely add them to a growing list of awesome newer bands in the genre like UNCLE ACID AND THE DEADBEATS, ORCHID and WINDHAND. After so many years of obscurity, the genre has taken back its rightful place in the Metal world and you have so many great bands like them to pay homage to the forefathers while adding their own unique twist.

I really enjoyed the first two songs, just awesome stuff, crushing riffs and awesome work all and all. It's Doom Metal at it's best. As for ''The Virgin'', I really loved the Horror Movie intro, reminded me of the great stuff Rob Zombie/WHITE ZOMBIE did in the 90's. I really don't know where it comes from but I thought it was a nice touch and not something I am used to hearing in Doom Metal bands that's for sure.

''Twilight Procession'' is quite a departure from the rest of the album. First and foremost this is an instrumental song. This reminded a lot of the last few albums from PORCUPINE TREE. It's more in the vein of Progressive Music, it's very spacey and really out there. I like the fact that is something completely different from the rest of the album. It reminded also of the genius of a guy like SYG:AR:TYR. I really enjoyed this instrumental song and it's in the middle of the album.

As for the other songs, I wouldn't say anything really stands out, the songs aren't too long and they don't overdo it. I didn't feel like they were dragging out…I highly enjoyed the lyrics of ''Prisoner of Eternity'', they really spoke to me about the loneliness of the human being in a society of egos and self-centered people. I felt it really explained that introverts in a limitless world isn't all fun and games and that everyone has to pass through the trials and tribulations of life no matter what.

All in all, a superb band by an awesome up and coming band. If they ever come to Montreal, I will absolutely be there without any shadow of a doubt!

Songwriting: 8Originality: 8Memorability: 9Production: 9

Tracklist:

1. Whispers Into the Threshold2. Into the Smoke3. The Virgin4. Twilight Procession5. Lux Crusher6. Prisoner of Eternity7. Buried Alive